In honor of Women’s History Month, YW Boston hosted a panel celebrating the rise of women in government.  Boston City Councilwomen Andrea Campbell, Lydia Edwards, Annissa Essaibi George, Kim Janey, Ayanna Pressley, and Michelle Wu, joined Boston Globe Racism Spotlight Series reporter, Akilah Johnson, for a conversation on the importance of intersectional leadership.

Sponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Women On The Rise was a powerful display of solidarity among women of color working to effect change in our communities and create new opportunities for all.

Beth Chandler, Interim President and CEO of YW Boston shared opening remarks, welcoming several hundred audience members into the conversation. 

“As many of you know, our organization is devoted to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.  In our 152 year history, YW Boston has been at the forefront of community advocacy and civic engagement.  Working at the intersections of race and gender, our organization has confronted the most pressing social issues of the times.  We’ve supported civil rights movements, education reform, equal job opportunity initiatives, pay equity, access to health care services, and many other causes central to the elevation of women’s rights. 

Today, we have the great privilege of amplifying a critical moment in our city’s history.  Today, we celebrate these remarkable Women On The Rise, not only for their unique life experiences, talents, perspectives and accomplishments, but for the work they do day in and day out, to ensure that many other women after, will have continued opportunities to make a difference in their communities and beyond.”

Click play to hear the full panel discussion now!